It’s the end of January and many of us have already bailed out on our New Year’s weight loss goals. We may have started out full steam ahead, but now our enthusiasm and commitment is down to an intermittent trickle. Yet commitment and determination are necessary to achieve successful long-term weight loss. Without them, we will quit at the first sign of trouble or obstacle.
Challenge should strengthen, not weaken our commitment. Successful people know how to hang out with challenge and discomfort; they endure it until they reach the other side. The unsuccessful are full of excuses and looking for the easy way out.
As a group, we overeaters have a lot of experience with quitting. Most of us have quit a diet or program after our initial excitement has worn off; or we may have stayed on track until we were close to reaching our goal, only to fall of the wagon once again.
We become what we practice. If we want something badly enough, quitting must not be an option. The way to success is to persevere, even when it gets tough. When things get uncomfortable, we must be willing to hang out with the discomfort and work through it, for that is where the true learning lies.
Each time we work through our struggles, we grow and gain confidence and mastery over them. Each time we quit, we reinforce that as an option for ourselves, and we must begin again at the same level of learning we were before until we learn that particular stage or lesson. Why not stay the course, learn the lesson, and move forward?
How to Rekindle Your Commitment
1. Write down daily and weekly weight loss goals and track your progress. Tracking what we do right and seeing how we’re progressing provides motivation and a sense of accomplishment. Some people give themselves gold stars for what they do right, others give themselves a reward once a week (nonfood), or whenever they hit a particular weight loss goal. Each day, affirm any steps (however small) you take towards your goal, as this keeps you feeling positive and motivated.
2. Learn to see setbacks and failure as simple feedback. Ask yourself: “What’s the lesson in this experience?” “How can I do better next time?” These are empowering questions and will help you learn from your mistakes.
3. Make a list of your top ten benefits of weight loss and put it where you can refer to it every day. You need to continually remind yourself of what you will be gaining by losing weight, otherwise it’s very easy to forget, especially when feeling discouraged. This list will keep you focused on what you’re moving towards and keep you motivated.
Do you need support to make the changes you desire? Coaching can make the difference between success and failure. I offer a free consultation.
